Diamagnetic Interactions in Disordered Suspensions of Metastable Superconducting Granules

The simulation of the transition sequence of superheated Type I superconducting granules (SSG) in disordered suspensions when an external magnetic field is slowly increased from zero has been studied. Simulation takes into account diamagnetic interactions and the presence of surface defects. Results have been obtained for the transition sequence and surface fields distribution covering a wide range of densities. These results are compared with previous analytical perturbative theory, which provides qualitative information on transitions and surface magnetic fields during transitions, but with a range of validity apparently limited to extremely dilute samples. Simulations taking into account the complete diamagnetic interactions between spheres appear to be a promising tool in interpreting SSG experiments, in applications such as particle detectors, and in some fundamental calculations of Solid State Physics.Comment: 25 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in European Physics Journal

Low temperature degradation behaviour of 10Ce-TZP/Al2O3 bioceramics obtained by microwave sintering technology

Zirconia is one of the most used ceramics, especially for biomedical applications, due to its exceptional mechanical properties. However, it is commonly known that its properties can be diminished owing to a low temperature degradation (LTD). This phenomenon consists on a spontaneous phase transformation, from tetragonal to monoclinic, under certain conditions, which is accelerated when the samples are exposed under high levels of humidity at a temperature range between 20-300 ºC. In addition to the fact that the monoclinic phase presents worse mechanical properties than the tetragonal one, there is a volume change of 4% between phases that gives rise to defects in the material as microcracks. Due to this reason, zirconia prostheses failed catastrophically inside the human body between 1999 and 2001 (1). Previous researches reveal that Al2O3 addition suppress the propagation of phase transformation (2). Thus, the aim of the present work is to study the hydrothermal ageing of zirconia doped with ceria and toughened with alumina (10Ce-TZP/Al2O3) composite, which has been sintered by microwave employing two different frequencies: 2.45 and 5.8 GHz. Microwave heating technology is based on the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by the material, which allows the sample to be heated. So far, most microwave heating equipments use 2.45 GHz; accordingly, the novelty of this study is to employ a frequency of 5.8 GHz and to investigate its effect on LTD. LTD is carried out in an autoclaved in steam at 120 ºC and 1.2 bar, because these conditions accelerate the hydrothermal aging process (3). In order to characterize the degraded samples, micro-Raman spectroscopy, AFM, nanoindentation technique and electronic microscopy have been performed. References 1. Norton, M. R., Yarlagadda, R., Anderson, G. H. J. Bone Joint Surg. Br., 2002, 84–B, 631–635. 2. Fabbri, P., Piconi, C., Burresi, E., Magnani, G., Mazzanti, F., Mingazzini, C. Dent. Mater., 2014. 3. Presenda, Á., Salvador, M. D., Moreno, R., Borrell, A. J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 2015, 98, 3680–3689

Production of α-Galactosylceramide by a Prominent Member of the Human Gut Microbiota

While the human gut microbiota are suspected to produce diffusible small molecules that modulate host signaling pathways, few of these molecules have been identified. Species of Bacteroides and their relatives, which often comprise >50% of the gut community, are unusual among bacteria in that their membrane is rich in sphingolipids, a class of signaling molecules that play a key role in inducing apoptosis and modulating the host immune response. Although known for more than three decades, the full repertoire of Bacteroides sphingolipids has not been defined. Here, we use a combination of genetics and chemistry to identify the sphingolipids produced by Bacteroides fragilis NCTC 9343. We constructed a deletion mutant of BF2461, a putative serine palmitoyltransferase whose yeast homolog catalyzes the committed step in sphingolipid biosynthesis. We show that the Δ2461 mutant is sphingolipid deficient, enabling us to purify and solve the structures of three alkaline-stable lipids present in the wild-type strain but absent from the mutant. The first compound was the known sphingolipid ceramide phosphorylethanolamine, and the second was its corresponding dihydroceramide base. Unexpectedly, the third compound was the glycosphingolipid α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCerBf), which is structurally related to a sponge-derived sphingolipid (α-GalCer, KRN7000) that is the prototypical agonist of CD1d-restricted natural killer T (iNKT) cells. We demonstrate that α-GalCerBf has similar immunological properties to KRN7000: it binds to CD1d and activates both mouse and human iNKT cells both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, our study reveals BF2461 as the first known member of the Bacteroides sphingolipid pathway, and it indicates that the committed steps of the Bacteroides and eukaryotic sphingolipid pathways are identical. Moreover, our data suggest that some Bacteroides sphingolipids might influence host immune homeostasis

Relationships between quality of life and family function in caregiver

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are caregivers who see their quality of life (QoL) impaired due to the demands of their caregiving tasks, while others manage to adapt and overcome the crises successfully. The influence of the family function in the main caregiver's situation has not been the subject of much evaluation. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between the functionality of the family and the QoL of caregivers of dependent relatives.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a cross-sectional study including 153 caregivers. Setting: Two health centers in the city of Salamanca(Spain). Caregiver variables analysed: demographic characteristics, care recipient features; family functionality (Family APGAR-Q) and QoL (Ruiz-Baca-Q) perceived by the caregiver. Five multiple regressions are performed considering global QoL and each of the four QoL dimensions as dependent variables. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to study the influence of the family function questionnaire on QoL.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Family function is the only one of the variables evaluated that presented an association both with global QoL and with each of the four individual dimensions (p < 0.05). Using the CCA, we found that the physical and mental well-being dimensions are the ones which present a closer relationship with family functionality, while social support is the quality dimension that is least influenced by the Family APGAR-Q.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We find an association between family functionality and the caregiver's QoL. This relation holds for both the global measure of QoL and each of its four individual dimensions.</p

Characterization method of dielectric properties of free falling drops in a microwave processing cavity and its application in microwave internal gelation

[EN] Microwave internal gelation (MIG) is a chemical process proposed for the production of nuclear particle fuel. The internal gelation reaction is triggered by a temperature increase of aqueous droplets falling by gravity by means of non-contact microwave heating. Due to the short residence time of a solution droplet in a microwave heating cavity, a detailed knowledge of the interaction between microwaves and chemical solution (shaped in small drops) is required. This paper describes a procedure that enables the measurement of the dielectric properties of aqueous droplets that freely fall through a microwave cavity. These measurements provide the information to determine the optimal values of the parameters (such as frequency and power) that dictate the heating of such a material under microwaves.This work is a part of the PINE (Platform for Innovative Nuclear FuEls) project which targets the development of an advanced production method for Sphere-Pac fuel and is financed by the Swiss Competence Center for Energy and Mobility. The work has been also financed by the European Commission through contract no 295664 regarding the FP7 PELGRIMM Project, as well as contract no 295825 regarding the FP7-ASGARD Project. MC-S would like to thank the ITACA research team (UPV Valencia, Spain) and the EMPA Thun (Switzerland) for their support in the measurements and Carl Beard (PSI, Switzerland) for the help provided in respect with CST simulations. The work of FLP-F was supported by the Conselleria d'Educacio of the Generalitat Valenciana for economic support (BEST/2012/010).Cabanes Sempere, M.; Catalá Civera, JM.; Penaranda-Foix, FL.; Cozzo, C.; Vaucher, S.; Pouchon, MA. (2013). Characterization method of dielectric properties of free falling drops in a microwave processing cavity and its application in microwave internal gelation. Measurement Science and Technology. 24(9). https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-0233/24/9/095009S24

Status of the SUSY Les Houches Accord II Project

Supersymmetric (SUSY) spectrum generators, decay packages, Monte-Carlo programs, dark matter evaluators, and SUSY fitting programs often need to communicate in the process of an analysis. The SUSY Les Houches Accord provides a common interface that conveys spectral and decay information between the various packages. Here, we propose extensions of the conventions of the first SUSY Les Houches Accord to include various generalizations: violation of CP, R-parity and flavor as well as the simplest next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model (NMSSM)

HTLV-1 infection in solid organ transplant donors and recipients in Spain

Background: HTLV-1 infection is a neglected disease, despite infecting 10–15 million people worldwide and severe illnesses develop in 10% of carriers lifelong. Acknowledging a greater risk for developing HTLV-1 associated illnesses due to immunosuppression, screening is being widely considered in the transplantation setting. Herein, we report the experience with universal HTLV testing of donors and recipients of solid organ transplants in a survey conducted in Spain. Methods: All hospitals belonging to the Spanish HTLV network were invited to participate in the study. Briefly, HTLV antibody screening was performed retrospectively in all specimens collected from solid organ donors and recipients attended since the year 2008. Results: A total of 5751 individuals were tested for HTLV antibodies at 8 sites. Donors represented 2312 (42.2%), of whom 17 (0.3%) were living kidney donors. The remaining 3439 (59.8%) were recipients. Spaniards represented nearly 80%. Overall, 9 individuals (0.16%) were initially reactive for HTLV antibodies. Six were donors and 3 were recipients. Using confirmatory tests, HTLV-1 could be confirmed in only two donors, one Spaniard and another from Colombia. Both kidneys of the Spaniard were inadvertently transplanted. Subacute myelopathy developed within 1 year in one recipient. The second recipient seroconverted for HTLV-1 but the kidney had to be removed soon due to rejection. Immunosuppression was stopped and 3 years later the patient remains in dialysis but otherwise asymptomatic. Conclusion: The rate of HTLV-1 is low but not negligible in donors/recipients of solid organ transplants in Spain. Universal HTLV screening should be recommended in all donor and recipients of solid organ transplantation in Spain. Evidence is overwhelming for very high virus transmission and increased risk along with the rapid development of subacute myelopath

The Higgs Working Group: Summary Report 2003

Theoretical progress in Higgs boson production and background processes is discussed with particular emphasis on QCD corrections at and beyond next-to-leading order as well as next-to-leading order electroweak corrections. The residual theoretical uncertainties of the investigated processes are estimated in detail. Moreover, recent investigations of the MSSM Higgs sector and other extensions of the SM Higgs sector are presented. The potential of the LHC and a high-energy linear e+e- collider for the measurement of Higgs couplings is analyzed.Comment: 169 pages, Proceedings 3rd Les Houches Workshop: Physics at TeV Colliders, Les Houches, France, 26 May - 6 Jun 200